Detonator for high-explosive shells



(n. J CARTWRIGHT.

DEIONAT'OR FOR HIGH EXFfLOSlVE SHELLS.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 4. 1918- Patented Feb. 24,1920.

Quownr 01 1 7 DAVID J. CARTWRIGH'T, F YORK, N. Y.

DEIONAT OR FOR HIGI-I-EXPLOSIVE SHELLS.

This invention pertains to detonators for high explosive shells and hasfor its main object theproduction of a detonator which will be safeunder all service conditions and which will likewise function withcertainty.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a detonator which maybe reliably employed todetonate a high powerexplosive, such forinstance, as tri-nitrotoluol, and this without the employment of abooster charge. Astill further object is to produce a detonators whereintwo substances or com- I reference is had to the annexed. drawing,

wherein the detonator is shown in longitudinal section.

V In said figure 1 denotes the base of-the housing-having a centrallydisposed open ing 2 extending therethrough into a chamher or recess 3,the latter in turn opening into the lower portion of an upper rela-.tively large chamber 4. The wall 5 of the latter is thin or light andthe housing'or shell will be preferably turned from a single piece ofmetal, such as brass. Placed'within the bottom of chamber 3 andoverlying and closing the inner end of opening 2' is a thin disk 6preferably formed of copper.

A suitable compound (fulminate of mercury) susceptible of beingdetonated bv friction, as; for instance, the stabbing action of a firingpin or hammer, is placed within the chamber 3, said compound being,preferably, subjected to a high degree of compres- V sion whenpositioned. Resting upon the lower wall of chamber or cavity 4 andoverlying the primary exploding charge just mentioned, is a CllSkOI'Washer 7 preferably a disk of muslin. The secondary or detonat-Specification of Letters Patent.

in the upper end thereof.

Patented Feb. 24, 1920.

Application filed May 4, 1918. Serial No. 232,623.

srars rnr OFFIQE. f

ing charge is compressed within said chamher 4, and will, in practice,bepreferably fulminate of mercury. This charge will be likewise subjectedto pressure, say 5000 lbs. per square inch, whereas the primary chargemay be subjected to 15,000 lbs. pressure to the square inch.

Resting upon the upper portion of the fulminate charge is a disk 8,preferably formed of paper or felt, and overlying such disk is a sealingcap-shaped member 0 formedof copper or other ductile or flexi- .ble'metal.

shap'ed sealing disk 9, which, during such operation, may also be bentor turned in slightly as clearly shown in the drawing,

A water-proof sealing compound 10 will then be placed in the upper endof the bolls ing and overlie and fill the sealing member 9 so as toabsolutely preclude the entrance of moisture into the charge.

Fitting over the upper'end of 'the'housing is a metallic cap or hood 11of copper or other suitable material), the wall of which is thin andmade of about the same thickness as the wall'5 ofthe housing. Said capmakes a close or mechanical fit with the exterior of said wall 5 so thatwhen it is forced to place it will retain its position under all servicehandling or conditions. A small opening 12 willbe, formed in the cap orhood It is conceivable that the primary and exploding charges may be ofthe'same material andload'ed at different densities. [As will be seenupon referenceto the drawing, when the water-proof compound 10 is placedin the upper end of the structure prior to the placement of the hood orcap 11 it tends to settle down and shrink somewhat and to afford an airspace between the upper portions thereof and the adjacent overlying wallof the cap or hood 11. The muslin disk or washer 7 interposed betweenthe two charges acts as a septum to prevent chemical reaction betweenthe constituents of the two charges in case they be made or formed ofdifferent materials which might'react one upon the other and cause adisintegration in the opening provided in the shell andthe major portionthereof extends into the chamber within the shell which is loaded with ahigh explosive, such for -instance, as T'LNI T. Upon the firing of theshell from the-- gun; the cap or hood'll, in a measure vtakesup theshock of the burstin charge of the shell due to the set back 0 'suchmaterial. when the: gunis. fired. If the pressurecame directly upon thefulminate charge such charge might be prematurel exploded; So,

too, the sea'lin element an the underlying yieldable was er 8 tends toabsorbc such shock and to render the detonator safe so;

in the chamber lif through accident the loaded shell shouldbe droppedandistrike on its forward end. "'Inother words, whileitj1s sought intheassembling ofthe various elementsnto absolutely prevent any. movement ofthe fuhninate charge within: the cham ber, it-will. be readilyappreciated that if a shelltweredropped and movementofTthe chargerelatively. to the chamber, take place a detonation might ensue,",butby' having the felt or other equivalentldisk, 8, the" chances of suchmovement are minimized,'and, furthermore, the disk would act asa cushionand prevent such a jar or impact aslwould preclude the explosion ofthefulminate. WVhen' thev shell strikesan objecttheffirin pin is thrownforwardly andpassesrthrou'g the opening 2 perforating the thin disk 6and causing an explosion or i ition of the primary charge in the chainer 3'. Such charge in turnwill cause thefulminate or other chargewith-in the chamberr l toexlode and such, explosion willdisrupt thehousing and its alliedparts andeffect a detonation of the surroundinghighyexplosive within the shell,

In practice thefdetonator has beenfound absolutely safe in handling. andin service ogieration and likewise hasproved highly e cient in.efiecftin the detonationofthe bursting charge wit infthe shell.

'What. I claim asnew and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,

1. In a 'detonator,the-combination of a housingnhaving two chamberstherein; a highly compressed compound located 'in one I of said chamberssusce 'tible of beingcaused to -function through t e stabbing-orpenetrative. action ofi'a firing'pin; a detonating charge locatedjin'theother chamber-,said detonating' charge being caused to, act. by the'functioningof the other charge and; a septumv located between saidcharges and normally 7 separating, the,v same ,to prevent chemicalreaction between the same.

2; In a detonator, the combination of a.

housi grhavi g repe g in one a friction compound located within thehousingladjamntrsaaidr'end; a detonating charge overlyin the frictioncompound; means for sealinggsuch materials within the; and aseparatorformed of muslin between the-friction compound and thedetonating charge.

3. In a detonatorfor. hi hpowe'r c 16830 shells, the combinationo "ahousing avin an opening'in one end'; a friction co overlying saidopening; a detonating 1gb overlying the friction compound; and':; 621i?overlyingthe'-upperpportion of'the hou' and serving to'absorb' the setback of; I. material which surrounds'the'detonatorim the firing of theprojectile.

4c. In afdetonator, the combinationof f if housing having an opening inone end there of for the entrance of 'a firing 'pin ,a disk of thinmetal overlying the inner end ofsa'ld opening; a friction compoundcompressed; within the housing and resting upon the disk; asecond"diskoverlying saiddtitinh} compound; a closure fo'r'tlie u erendidf the housing, u said housing; and c osure'z'fiwg ing aninterlocking engagement; and a waterproof compound located withinftheupper end of the housing I, outside dffl'tliq closure and serving toseal'the arts.

5; In a detonator, the comb na'ti'qna-of a; housing having an openin invone end there offor the entrance sofa ring. pin; affi'ics tion compoundlocated adj acent' said. open ing; an explosive charge"located,w'lthiinth e housing above the friction compound, a: yieldingcliskoverlyingthe upper enddf' the r explosive-charge; and awatentightoiosure for the upper endofthe housing; I

'6. In a detonator, the combinatimi offs, housinghaving an openin in oneendftii 1 offor the entrance of a ring pinra- 10- tion compoundlocatediadjaeent said'ppen: ing; an explosive charge loeatedwithin thehousing above the "friction 1 compound a} yielding diskoverlyingjftheuppei'BI Td" Offlfe explosive char egf a cup; kafedclesure rgst ingmupon the isk within the" housing, 3.111 closure andvthe upper end oftheihousing being inturned' to formanf interlockin ehgagcment; ,ali'dia water-proof fcompoufi 1'0- catjed, between the upper,enfdjof thehoushzg and the cup, shaped closur 7. In a'ndetonator, thecombination Qf, a. housinghaving an opening in oneendthereof, for theentrance ofa, firjng pin ;;a fie tion, compoundllocated adjacentsaidgopjenjc ng;v an ex", losiv -chargeilocated within-she housing aove, the friction, compound'ga 12 yieldingjidiskoverlyingthefuppenend'Ofiflfi explosive char eg'a cup-shaped'closure' rent?- ingupon" the iskr within the housings-581d closure; and the. up. er. andoffthej housing being inturnedto orm aninterlockin'gen 13 gagement; aWater-proof compound located within the upper end of the housing and thecup shaped closure; and a cap extending over the upper end of thehousing and downwardly along the sides thereof.

8. In a detonator, the combination of a housing having an opening in oneend thereof through which a firing pin may pass; a thin copper diskoverlying the inner end of said opening; a friction compound compressedwithin the housing over said disk; a muslin disk overlying saidcompound; an explosive charge compressed within the housing above saidmuslin disk; a yielding disk overlying the upper end of the explosivecharge; a cup shaped closure mounted within the upper end of the housingand resting on the disk just mentioned, said cup shaped closure and theupper end of the housing being inturned to hold the closure in place; awater-proof compound placed within the cup shaped closure and the upperportion of the housing and serving to seal the same; and a cap mountedupon the upper end of the housing, said cap extending downwardly alongthe exterior wall of the housing and likewise provided with an openingin the upper face thereof; said opening communicating with the air spaceleft between the under face of the cap and the upper face of thewater-proof compound.

9. In a detonator, the combination of a housing or body containing anexplosive In testimony whereof I have signed my name to thisspecification.

DAVID J CARTWRIGHT.

} charge; and a cap overying the upper end of

